2009 Cal State L.A. Women’s Track and Field – Season Summary
2009 Women's Track & Field Season Summary
Cal State L.A.’s women’s track and field team enjoyed its best season in several years in 2009.
The Golden Eagles finished second in the California Collegiate Athletic Association and then placed seventh in the nation in the NCAA Division II Championships. Cal State L.A., which didn’t score a point in the national meet in 2008, scored 32 points this time around, which was the best showing since the Golden Eagles scored 54 points and finished third in the nation in 1996. Cal State L.A. also scored 32 points and finished eighth in the country in 2002.
Cal State L.A. picked up seven All-America awards at the nationals. The best individual finish was by Vivien Wadeck, who finished second in the 5,000 meters and earned All-America honors. Moriah Jubrey picked up three All-America awards in the 100 (seventh) and 200 (fourth) and as part of the 4x100 relay team with Sierra Backus, Tanyshia Ridley and Shianne Smith. Karla Alburez picked up an All-America award by finishing fifth in the steeplechase, Backus earned an All-America award in the triple jump by finishing fifth and Smith earned one in the heptathlon by placing sixth.
The top eight finishers in each event earned All-America honors.
Cal State L.A. also had a terrific showing at the CCAA Championships, where the Golden Eagles accumulated 164 points, which is the most for the team since the Golden Eagles had 187 points while winning the 1996 conference title.
The Golden Eagles captured five conference titles, including two by Wadeck, who was named the CCAA Newcomer of the Year. She won the 1,500 and 5,000 and also placed third in the 800. Jubrey won a conference title in the 200, Backus won the conference title in the triple jump and Denina Speights won a conference title in the long jump. Cal State L.A. earned 15 All-Conference honors in the meet.
The top three finishers in each event earned All-CCAA honors.
Cal State L.A. Women’s Track and Field
Final National Finish: 7th (32 points)
Final CCAA Finish: 2nd (164 points)
All-America Awards (7): Vivien Wadeck (5,000), Moriah Jubrey 2 (100, 200), Karla Alburez (3,000 steeplechase), Sierra Backus (triple jump), Shianne Smith (heptathlon), 4x100 relay (Sierra Backus, Moriah Jubrey, Tanyshia Ridley, Shianne Smith)
CCAA Newcomer of the Year: Vivien Wadeck
CCAA Freshman of the Year: Tuekeha Huntley
CCAA Champions (5): Vivien Wadeck 2 (1,500, 5,000), Moriah Jubrey (200), Denina Speights (long jump), Sierra Backus (triple jump)
All-CCAA Second-Team (5): Maria Castaneda (10,000), Karla Alburez (3,000 steeplechase), Te’Ahnalin Harris (shot put), 4x100 relay (Sierra Backus, Moriah Jubrey, Tanyshia Ridley, Shianne Smith), 4x400 relay (Moriah Jubrey, Jennifer Shoate, Denina Speights, Shianne Smith)
All-CCAA Third-Team (5): Vivien Wadeck (800), Liliana Hernandez (3,000 steeplechase), Denina Speights (high jump), Natalia Gonzalez (javelin), Shianne Smith (heptathlon)
2009 Recap: Cal State L.A.’s women’s track and field team had a strong showing in the 2009 season. The Golden Eagles finished seventh in the country, which was the program’s best finish since a third-place finish in 1996. Cal State L.A. also finished second in the California Collegiate Athletic Association after scoring 164 points, which was the most by the program since the 187 scored by the Golden Eagles while winning the 1996 conference title. The Golden Eagles picked up seven All-America awards and 15 All-CCAA awards. Cal State L.A. also claimed five individual CCAA championships – two by Vivien Wadeck (1,500, 5,000), Moriah Jubrey (200), Denina Speights (long jump) and Sierra Backus (triple jump). In addition, Vivien Wadeck was named the CCAA Newcomer of the Year and Tuekeha Huntley was named the CCAA Freshman of the Year.